Oligorecurrent nodal prostate cancer: radiotherapy quality assurance of the randomized PEACE V-STORM phase II trial.

PURPOSE Aim of this study is to report the results of the radiotherapy quality assurance program of the PEACE V-STORM randomized phase II trial for pelvic nodal oligorecurrent prostate cancer (PCa). MATERIAL AND METHODS A benchmark case (BC) consisting of a postoperative case with 2 nodal recurrences was used for both stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT, 30 Gy/3 fx) and whole pelvic radiotherapy (WPRT, 45 Gy/25 fx + SIB boost to 65 Gy). RESULTS BC of 24 centers were analyzed. The overall grading for delineation variation of the 1st BC was rated as 'UV' (Unacceptable Variation) or 'AV' (Acceptable Variation) for 1 and 7 centers for SBRT (33%), and 3 and 8 centers for WPRT (46%), respectively. An inadequate upper limit of the WPRT CTV (n=2), a missing delineation of the prostate bed (n=1), and a missing nodal target volume (n=1 for SBRT and WPRT) constituted the observed 'UV'. With the 2nd BC (n=11), the overall delineation review showed 2 and 8 'AV' for SBRT and WPRT, respectively, with no 'UV'. For the plan review of the 2nd BC, all treatment plans were per protocol for WPRT. SBRT plans showed variability in dose normalization (Median D90% = 30.1 Gy, range 22.9-33.2Gy and 30.6 Gy, range 26.8-34.2Gy for nodes 1 and 2 respectively). CONCLUSIONS Up to 46% of protocol deviations were observed in delineation of WPRT for nodal oligorecurrent PCa, while dosimetric results of SBRT showed the greatest disparities between centers. Repeated BC resulted in an improved adherence to the protocol, translating in an overall acceptable contouring and planning compliance rate among participating centers

Suomen sopeutumisesta Euroopan integraatioon - eräitä näkökohtia

Talouden suuri shokki 1990-luvun alussa on vaikeuttanut EU-jäsenyyden vaikutusten arviointia Suomessa. Mutta sekä hintarakenteen, ulko-maankaupan suuntautumisen että tuotantorakenteenkin perussuunnat pystyttiin arvioimaan varsin hyvin. Hintarakenne on lähestynyt EU:n keskimääräistä hinta-rakennetta. Maatalouden kehitys on ollut parempi kuin pahimmat uhkakuvat arvioivat. EMU nyt ja itälaajeneminen myöhemmin ovat suuria haasteita sekä EU:lle että Suomelle

The Role of Science and Technology Policy in Small Economies

KNOGG, an EU financed thematic network, studies the role ST&I policies play in driving economic growth in six small European economies. It aims to develop guidelines at the EU level for improving knowledge-based growth in small European economies. This report sets the stage of the project, and provides a selective survey of the current literature on economic growth from the point of view of small open economies. Based on the New Growth Theory and Schumpeterian view of innovation, this report develops a conceptual framework for the project. The constraints imposed by country size and available resources as well as their implications for knowledge-based growth strategies are highlighted. Although ST&I policies in small countries may be more knowledgediffusion oriented, sole reliance on imitation strategies and foreign spillovers may lead to under-investment in domestic R&D and to difficulties to absorb new technologies. In this respect the KNOGG countries' past and current experiences in ST&I policies are rather mixed and diversified.KNOGG on EU:n rahoittama tutkimusverkosto, jossa tutkitaan tiede-, teknologia- ja innovaatiopolitiikan merkitystä osaamiseen perustuvan kasvun välineenä kuudessa pienessä eurooppalaisessa kansantaloudessa. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena on luoda suosituksia siitä, kuinka toteuttaa talouskasvua ja kilpailukykyä edistävää innovaatiopolitiikkaa EU:n ja pienten eurooppalaisten kansantalouksien tasolla. Tässä raportissa kehitetään projektin käsitteistöä ja teoriapohjaa. Osaamiseen perustuvaa kasvua kuvataan endogeenisen kasvuteorian ja schumpeteriläisen innovaatioteorian näkökulmasta. Pelkästään jäljittelyyn ja teknologian siirtoon perustuva politiikka voi johtaa riittämättömiin t&k-investointeihin ja vaikeuksiin omaksua uutta tietoa. KNOGG-maiden t&k-politiikan tavoitteet ja perinteet vaihtelevat näiltä osin suuresti

The Multicenter, Randomized, Phase 2 PEACE V-STORM Trial: Defining the Best Salvage Treatment for Oligorecurrent Nodal Prostate Cancer Metastases

Optimal local treatment for nodal oligorecurrent prostate cancer is unknown. The randomized phase 2 PEACE V-STORM trial will explore the best treatment approach in this setting. Early results on the acute toxicity profile are projected to be published in quarter 3, 2021

The Role of Science and Technology Policy in Small Economies

KNOGG, an EU financed thematic network, studies the role ST&I policies play in driving economic growth in six small European economies. It aims to develop guidelines at the EU level for improving knowledge-based growth in small European economies. This report sets the stage of the project, and provides a selective survey of the current literature on economic growth from the point of view of small open economies. Based on the New Growth Theory and Schumpeterian view of innovation, this report develops a conceptual framework for the project. The constraints imposed by country size and available resources as well as their implications for knowledge-based growth strategies are highlighted. Although ST&I policies in small countries may be more knowledgediffusion oriented, sole reliance on imitation strategies and foreign spillovers may lead to under-investment in domestic R&D and to difficulties to absorb new technologies. In this respect the KNOGG countries' past and current experiences in ST&I policies are rather mixed and diversified.Knowledge, growth, globalisation, technology, innovation

De bewogenheid van Christus met zondaren [Bespreking van: T. Goodwin (2011) The Heart of Christ in Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth]

Abstract Background The primary function of the intestines is the absorption of water and nutrients. Although our knowledge about these processes on the cellular level is extensive, a number of important intracellular elements remain unknown. Here, we characterize the novel proline-, histidine-, glycine-rich 1 (PHGR1) mRNA and protein on the molecular level and propose a functional role of the PHGR1 protein in the intestinal and gastric epithelium. Methods PHGR1 mRNA and protein expression in human tissues and cell lines were characterized by quantitative RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, Northern blotting, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Glycosylation was assessed by a chemical deglycosylation assay, whereas intracellular localization was studied by immunofluorescent staining of cell line cells. PHGR1 mRNA levels in HT29 cells was reduced by RNA interference and the resulting global changes in gene expression assessed by microarray hybridization. Results PHGR1 mRNA and protein were found to be expressed specifically in epithelial cells of intestinal mucosa, with the highest expression in the most mature and differentiated cells. PHGR1 protein was found to be glycosylated and to localize to both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Transcript profiling and gene ontology analysis of HT29 cells subjected to PHGR1 knockdown suggested a functional relationship with transport and metabolic processes. Examination of PHGR1 mRNA and protein levels in lymph nodes with known colorectal cancer metastases indicated that they may serve as biomarkers for detection of such metastases. Conclusions Functional analyses of the novel PHGR1 mRNA and protein suggest an essential role in gastrointestinal epithelium and a clinical application in detection of colorectal cancer lymph node metastases

Oligorecurrent nodal prostate cancer: Radiotherapy quality assurance of the randomized PEACE V-STORM phase II trial

Purpose: Aim of this study is to report the results of the radiotherapy quality assurance program of the PEACE V-STORM randomized phase II trial for pelvic nodal oligorecurrent prostate cancer (PCa). Material and methods: A benchmark case (BC) consisting of a postoperative case with 2 nodal recurrences was used for both stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT, 30 Gy/3 fx) and whole pelvic radiotherapy (WPRT, 45 Gy/25 fx + SIB boost to 65 Gy). Results: BC of 24 centers were analyzed. The overall grading for delineation variation of the 1st BC was rated as 'UV' (Unacceptable Variation) or 'AV' (Acceptable Variation) for 1 and 7 centers for SBRT (33%), and 3 and 8 centers for WPRT (46%), respectively. An inadequate upper limit of the WPRT CTV (n = 2), a missing delineation of the prostate bed (n = 1), and a missing nodal target volume (n = 1 for SBRT and WPRT) constituted the observed 'UV'. With the 2nd BC (n = 11), the overall delineation review showed 2 and 8 'AV' for SBRT and WPRT, respectively, with no 'UV'. For the plan review of the 2nd BC, all treatment plans were per protocol for WPRT. SBRT plans showed variability in dose normalization (Median D90% = 30.1 Gy, range 22.9-33.2 Gy and 30.6 Gy, range 26.8-34.2 Gy for nodes 1 and 2 respectively). Conclusions: Up to 46% of protocol deviations were observed in delineation of WPRT for nodal oligorecurrent PCa, while dosimetric results of SBRT showed the greatest disparities between centers. Repeated BC resulted in an improved adherence to the protocol, translating in an overall acceptable contouring and planning compliance rate among participating centers.Swiss Prostate Cancer Award grant from the Movember FoundationBelgian 'Kom Op Tegen Kanker'Scientific Association of Swiss Radiation Oncologists (SASRO)6.901 JCR (2021) Q1, 56/245 Oncology1.946 SJR (2021) Q1, 13/133 HematologyNo data IDR 2021UE